As news broke of Princess Beatrice’s engagement to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on Thursday, fans were keen to know all the details of the young royal’s stunning engagement ring, which her now-fiance co-created with the help of British jeweller Shaun Leane.
WATCH: Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson shows off her engagement ring
“The actual ring is handcrafted, so the whole process has been about three to four months, from Edoardo coming in to see me,” the Mayfair atelier, who worked for Alexander McQueen for 20 years, told HELLO! magazine.
“I am so honoured Edoardo chose to work with me to design the engagement ring for Princess Beatrice and to have been involved in this special moment in their lives,” added Shaun, who has created jewellery for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
“He’s very romantic and very considered and very thoughtful,” he said of the property tycoon.
Lisa Levinson, Head of UK Marketing and Communications for the Diamond Producers Association, tells New Idea that Edo chose natural diamonds, rather than lab-created stones, for the stunning piece.
“Natural diamonds are unique like a snowflake or fingerprint and can be passed down and treasured by different generations. Maybe one day her ring will be part of the Royal Collection – a true miracle and gift of nature,” she said.
Edo’s involvement in the ring-making process is not only sweet, but also a romantic tribute to his future mother-in-law, the Duchess of York – whose engagement ring was designed by Prince Andrew.
“Andrew actually designed it,” Fergie shared of her engagement ring, which featured a ruby surrounded by 10 diamonds.
“I helped design it,” Andrew laughed. “We did sketch some of it, and I found a suggestion in a selection of rings that I was given.
“I’m not quite sure of the original shape that I drew, but they looked like rugby balls,” he explained of the initial concept for the 10 drop-cut diamonds framing the main gemstone.
The sweet personalisation of the ring isn’t the only similarity between the engagements of Bea and Edo, and Fergie and Andrew.
Just like their daughter and her fiance, Fergie and Prince Andrew waited before sharing the news of their engagement – but while Bea’s parents kept their news private for a month, the Princess and her property tycoon partner couldn’t contain their excitement for quite as long, spilling the beans around a week after the proposal.
“We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement,” the pair shared in a statement.
“We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can’t wait to actually be married. We share so many similar interests and values and we know that this will stand us in great stead for the years ahead, full of love and happiness.”
